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St. Paul Hotel, St. Paul Grill cutting jobs amid coronavirus slowdown

Union workers at the St. Paul Hotel and St. Paul Grill received an email Saturday saying their jobs would be “permanently” eliminated, although a union official cast doubt on the “permanently” part.

Christa Mello, a spokesperson from Minnesota Hospitality Union Local 17, said the only way the company could permanently terminate jobs under the union contract is if the hotel and grill are shutting their doors for good. Mello said she asked if that was happening on Friday and was told the hotel and grill were not closing.

“It was a badly worded letter on the employer’s part,” Mello said.

Mello said she received a copy of the letter on Friday and spoke to a representative of Morrisey Hospitality’s human resources department. She said she was told then that the company would follow the stipulations of the collective bargaining agreement, which states that laid off workers could be kept on layoff for 12 months and that recalls would be based on seniority by department.

Hotel management offered the following statement about the move:

“Morrissey Hospitality understands that the road ahead to recovery is very difficult. As a result … we, unfortunately, had no choice but to reduce our overall employee workforce. There isn’t any work today, and we anticipate a long and gradual recovery. We explored every option, and there isn’t any other way. To those departing, thank you for everything you have done. We are deeply grateful for your contributions to Morrissey Hospitality. We would not be where we are today without you.”

An employee who received the letter, signed by Richard Dobransky, president of Morrissey Hospitality, said the letter included the following:

“It is with great sadness that we inform you that we will be permanently eliminating your position,” the letter said. “There isn’t an easy way to say this … but we owe you this certainty, as we tirelessly explored every possibility, and this remains our only option.”

Neither union nor hotel officials were available to clarify how many employees were impacted by the cuts.

The hotel is still taking guests and reservations, and food is available through room service.

According to its website, the 255-room hotel has been around since 1910.

“From presidents and royalty to gangsters, movie stars and athletes — since its inception over a century ago, The Saint Paul Hotel has hosted guests of all stripes. A timeless treasure and landmark in downtown St. Paul, throughout its storied history the hotel has attracted dignitaries, leaders and colorful characters,” the website says, noting that the hotel has “won countless awards and is regarded as one of the premier hotels in the nation.”

The company announced the closure of its restaurant Pazzaluna, across the street from the St. Paul Hotel, on Saturday.

“Irrespective of when restrictions are lifted, we are not confident in the immediate return of customers who are worried about their health and family members,” Dobransky said in a Pazzaluna statement Saturday.